Chuck



Sept. 27, 1932. 5 BROWN 1,879,656

CHUCK o rigi nal Filed April 20, 1926 Z'Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR MAJ ATTORNEYS Sept. 27, 1932. R. 5. BROWN 1,879,656

CHUCK Original Filed April 20, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY-5- Patented Sept. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT S, BROWN, OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE NEW BRITAIN-GRIDLEY MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, A. CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT CHUCK Application filed April 20, 1925, Serial m5. 103,194. Renewed Jul 25,1931.

will be rapid acting, accurate and long lived.

Ainongother and more specific objects of the invention-are: To provide a chuck which may be readily assembled and disassembled; to provide an improved work stop for posi- 3 tioning work articles in a chuck; to provide improvedmeans for ejecting work articles from a chuck.

In the drawings which show, for illustrative purposes only, a preferred form of the invention Fig. 1 is a front view of a chuck embodying features of the invention and positioned upon a turret; I

Fig. 2 is a central vertical, sectional view of the chuck shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end view in elevation of a chuck jaw;

Fig. 4 is aside view in elevation of a chuck jaw;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig 3 but showing the opposite end of the jaw and viewed along the axis thereof;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a chuck jaw, and means for preventing rotation thereof;

Fig. 7 is an end view in elevation of a chuck jaw actuator;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side view in partial section of the chuck j aw' actuator or draw rod;

turret of an automatic chucking machinev wherein a plurality of like chucks would be employed. It is to be understood, however, that the principles of the invention are of broader application, and the chuck may be i employed in situations other than as herein shown, wherein the chuck is held stationary and the tools are adapted to rotatev and act upon the workarticles. I r

In said drawings, 1 indicates a part of a turret of an automatic chucking machine or the like. 2=indicates a chuck Which may be secured to the turret. 1 "by any suitable means, such as screws (not shown). The chuck body is provided with a plurality of bores 3-3 converging and preferably'of cylindrical form. Jaws .44 also 'preferablyof cylindrical form fit the bores 33,and may be supported therein for more than one-half of their circumferences, as will be clear from Fig. 1. By this means the jaws are definitely positioned in the bores and extensive bearing surfaces are provided so that wear will be slight and the chuck will be long lived.

While the chuck jaws 44 may be formed so as to grip any particular work article, it is preferred to provide suitablefalse jaws 5-5, which may be secured to -prepared'seats on the jaws H. By forming false jaws having various gripping contours, all, however, having the same seating form on the jaws 4-4, it will be a relatively simple matter to change the false aws to adapt the chuck for taking work articles of any particular shape. The false jaws 5 may be held in place on the jaws 4 I by means of screws, such as 6, the heads of which preferably lie within the bores 33 and are therefore normally concealed and protected from chips and other foreign matter.

In order to prevent the jaws 4-4.- from rotating in their respective bores, I provide suitable means, such as a key 7 having a flat tapered end 8, whichmay fit into a tapered or truncated substantially V -shaped groove or keyway 9 extending longitudinally of the jaws H, but preferably terminating short of the forward ends. A suitable key screw 10 may be employed for advancing the key 7 into the groove. By means of the inclined or tapered key and keyway, any wear may be taken up and the jaws always held and guided properly.

In the particular form shown I employ a pilot 11 which, for convenience in manufacture, is made separate from but secured to groove with which the head14 coacts so as to advance and retract the jaws. referring to Figs. 2, 7 and 8, it will be seen that the head 14 is of irregular shape, that is, it:

has slabbed ofi portions 1616 preferably corresponding' in number tothe number of jaws, and the slabbed ofi parts may be inclined rearwardly at an angle, which is substantially the same as the angle at which the jaws are inclined to the axis ofthe chuck. It will be clear', therefore, that in assembling or disassembling the chuck, the draw rod 13 may be'rot'ated to sucha' position thatjthe slabbed ofli' parts 16.16 arepositioned' above the grooves 1i5j' 15 in the respective chucks when he rai ed a d i'aw am v ds as to permit the positioning of the sla'bbedoif portions above the grooves Now, upon-a partial rotation of the draw 'rod"" 13',*the rounded portions, that is, the portions between the slabbed off portions will-enter'the grooves 15 -15, and thereafter, reciprocation ofthe drawrod 13 will move the chuck'jaws correspondingly, and the actuating head 1 4' will remain in engagementiwith the respectivejaws'. When the jaws and draw rod are properly assembled so as to be in working pos1 tion, I provide means, such as 'a 'screw 17,

engaging in an elongated slotor keyway' 18 in' the draw rod." Therefore, after the'parts{ a'reionce assembled'and the screw 17 turned up, reciprocation of the draw rod will always ac'tuate the chuck jaws. It will be plain that since the engaging portions between the head 14 and the various chuck jaws are within the chuckbody and are often concealed by other elements, it would be difficult to determine just when the actuating head 14 is in position to permit assembling or disassembling of a chuck jaw. Since the keyway 18 is also usually concealed, it would be difficult to cause the screw17 to take into the keyway 18. I may therefore employ a suitable'indication, such as 'a line 19, on a set collar-20 on a part of the draw rod which may be readily visible to 'an operator. This indication may have a registering indication on some fixed part of the machine, or it may be so positioned that when the indication 19 is on a horizontal or Vertical plane through the axis of the draw rod, for example, thekeyway 18 and screw 17 will be in the proper position to be engaged with each other. It is likewise sometimes difiicult in assembling to position all of the jaws in proper positionsuso as to permit the head 14 to'enter the respective grooves therein. I may therefore make one side such as the edge 15' of the groove 15 extend farther from the longitudinal axis of the jaw 15 than does the other edge 15" so that when the jaws are entered into their respective bores, the projecting sides 15 of the grooves will abut against the edges 2121 on the head 14 and thus definitely position all of the jaws so that the. head may be rotated and the proper entry. of the head into the groove 15-15 will be assured.

Now, when it is desired to position work articles, for example such as indicated in clotagainst, it will beheld a definite predeter-' mined distance from the end of the chuck. It'will be observed that when such a work stop is employed'the axial positioning of the work articles will be independent of the chuck jaws but any tendency of the work articles to move into closer engagement with the work stop will also move the jaws rearwardly and cause the work article to be wedged more tightly between the chuck jaws.

When the chuck is used on an automatic machine, such as an automatic chucking machine, it is'desirable that the work articles be automatically ejected when the chuck jaws are moved to open position. In the preferred form, an ejecting plug 26 is guided through the. work stop and is adapted to be projected or forced against the work article so as to automatically eject the same. The rear end of the ejector plug 26 may be guided in a bore in the forward end of the draw rod 13, and a spring 27 is interposed between the bottom of the bore and the end of the ejector plug 26. Now, when the draw rod 13 is moved toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 2, it will be seen that the jaws will be similarly moved and, due to their hearing for more than one-half of the circumferences in the bores 33 in the chuck body, the jaws will be positively caused to open so as to release the work article. The spring 27 will then force the ejector outwardly so as to eject. the work article. Now. further movement of the rod 13 toward the left will cause the spring 27 to be compressed more than it is normally compressed, and the spring will 'force the ejector 26 outwardly and eject the work article provided this has not already been done clue to the normal spring compression. When a work article is inserted in the open chuck, the operator, or automatic means in the case of an automatic feed, will force the work article against the ejector 26 until-the work article abuts the work stop, when such a stop is pro-- vided, and the spring 27 will be compressed again. In the form shown the aws are 111- dependent of the work stop and ejector, and

minimum and thus-"this bliuck is admirably 1 ada pte'd for an 'automatic machine ina. which the chucks may be ope'n'ed' and closed-many thousands of tinies' dailyi Itis' toibe. further" observedthat the contact between the jaws and the bores in the chuck body are surface contacts and not mere line contacts, as when conical expander heads are employed as in some forms of chucks. By reason of the bores embracing the chuck jaws for more than half of their circumferences, the jaws will be positively held and be moved toward and away from each other by the bores. By means of the tapered key arrangement the chuck jaws will be positively held against rotation in their respective bores, and any wear may be compensated for. The chuck jaws may be readily assembled and disassembled by reason of the construction of the actuating head and the interfitting grooves in the chuck aws. The same jaws may be enaployed for holding work articles of various configuration since it is only necessary to remove the jaws and secure false jaws thereon of' the proper form for gripping any particular class of work desired.

While the invention has been described in some detail and in connection with parts of a turret, it is to be observed that the chuck may be employed singly and may be caused to rotate instead of being held in a stationary position and having the tools rotate. I do not wish to be strictly limited to the form shown since many changes maybe made within'the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a chuck, a chuck body having a plurality of converging cylindrical bores therein, cylindrical chuck jaws in said bores, each said jaw having a tapered longitudinal keyway therein, tapered keys in said body and coacting with said keyways to prevent rotation of said jaws in said bores. and a screw separated from but engaging each said key for maintaining the same in said keyways and for adjusting the same therein.

2. In a chuck, a chuck body having a plurality of converging bores therein, chuck aws in said bores, said jaws having abutment means thereon, an actuating head to engage said abutment means for actuating said chuck jaws, said actuating head having slabbed oft portions whereby, upon a partial rotation of said actuating head, said chuck jaws may be disengaged from said head.

3. In the combinationdefined in claim 2,

said slabbed oft portions'being inclined to the axis of the chuck at substantially the'same angle as said bores are inclined to such axis.

' 4t. Ina chuck, a chuokbody having a plurality 0t converging 'bores therein,- chuck jawsin said bores, saidjawshaving trans-- verse '1 grooves'theneinp an iactuatingihead to engageiwitlr isaidzigi hoves'vfor actuating: said. :2 c-huck .jawsgsaid head having stabbed: 'soitapor-q -tions wlierebyizuponaipairtiat rotationbfsaidi. head=,1=the:j aws maybe-disengagedtherefrom,-

and meansfor holding said headiagainst' rotation' when in -positfonztoi engage 'Saidawsi 1 for moving thexsamei, E

5. Inbthe combinationsdefinediin-claiiri 4, a i- I indicating: meansifor' indicating "the: angular position of said act-nating'headirelativelyto said jaws-= I 6. Inia-chu ralityznofi 4 ic'o'nve'rgingu bo'res: therein-p chuck f I i j awsgiin isaid bores, 'iapilot :secured to 's'a'id body,iaodraw guided 'by saidzpilofia head on said; draw rod: tmactuate ?sai'di-:jaws-'nnd having depressednportions whereby; iupon a partial: rotation ofi Said draw $1Od," saidihead may -beifdisengaged 'zfrom isaidz-wjawsa and means 1 for preventin xtrotation 10f said draw rod whbn'zsaid-z head." actuatelsaidijawsiii' I a 7. male combinatiomsdefined inw'claim 6, and means for indicating-the)relative angular positiomzbetween said l rlraw znod and' saidjaws.r

gpositioned so': as to 8. Inza thereto, a draw rod guidedainis'aidpilot, said body haviaigaa iplurality of converging borestherein, ;,cliuck jaws in said'rbores, means for causingnsaid: draw rod-toactuate: SHIdJaWS, a-

work-stop secured to said body and-positioned between said jaws-.soas-to limit the extent to t which aworkarticle-maybeinserted into said bodyyan ejector mounted'omsaid work stop,-

and a spring interposed 'betweenzsaid draw.

rod and saidejecto r. 1

. 9. In .a sohuck, a chuck bodyhaving-a-plura-lity of converging borestherei-n,.chuck j awsin said bores; adraw rod having-means thereon to be engaged. and; disengaged from said chuck jaws on a partial rotation of said draw rod, said draw rod. havi-ng askeyway therein,

a key ,toie'ngage: said keyway and preventrotation ofsaid draw rod w'hen'said-rod is in position :to :cause said -.j aws to be actuated therebyw i 1= 1'';

10. In the combination: defined in claim 9, and indicating 'meansfor indicatingthe angular: position .of-said draw rod relatively to I- said jaws. w

11. In a chuck, a chuck body having a plurality of cylindrical bores converging toward each other, a cylindrical chuck jaw slidably and non-rotatably arranged ineach said bore,

said jaws being formed to. grip a workarticle, a work support. secured to said chuck body and having means extending into the spaces between adjacent jaws for supporting a work article in said ch'uckand in position to be grippedzby said jaws, means for moving said jaws in'said bores for gripping and releasing the work article, and x3. spring pressed plunger in said 'chuck body for ejecting a work article when said jaws'are opened.

12.1In-a chuck, a chuck body-having a plurality of cylindricalbores therein converging toward eachpther, a cylindrical chuck jaw in each said bore, saidjawsbeing formed to grip a workarticle, means for preventing rotation of said aws'm said bores, a rod engaging the rear ends of said jaws and adapted to slide the same in saidbors for causing the jaws to approach and. recede from each other, said. rod having-a longitudinally extending bore therein, an ejecting plunger in said bore, a spring for urging said ejecting plunger outwardly, and means for limiting the outward movement of said ejecting plunger, said plunger serving .to eject a work article from said chuck when said jaws are moved to the releasing position. a j

13.' In a chuck, a chuck body, a plurality of chuck jaws guided therein, each aw having a transverse notch therein, one side of each said notch extending farther from the longitudinal axis of said jaw than the other side of said notch, a chuck actuator for engagement in said notches and having slabbed oii portions, whereby, upon a partial relative rotation between said actuator and said jaws said slabbed, oflz-portions .will be free of one side of said notch. v

14. In a chuck, achuck body, aplurali'ty of jaws movable therein, each jaw" having a groove therein, a key extending into each groove, said key having a flat side surface engaging with a side of said groove, and a 1 screw separate from said key and having a part engaging the latter for holding said key in position in said groove.

15. In a chuck, a chuck body, a jaw movable thereon, a key,'said jaw and key having tapered interfitting surfaces of substantial area, and adjusting means for holding said key in adjusted positions relatively to said 16. Ina chuck, a chuck body, a jaw having a bearing part of circular section, said body having an interfitting seat surface for said part of circular section, said jaw having a longitudinally extending tapered keyway therein, a tapered key held in said body and fitting said keyway whereby said keyway will hold said key against rotation, and an adjusting device carried by said body and engaging said key to hold the same in adjusted positions in said keyway.

17. In a chuck, a chuck body, a plurality of jaws, a jaw actuator, a work ejector comjaw actuating means, connecting means between said jaw means andjaw actuating means and engageable: with and. disengageable from each other upon a partialrelative rotation, and means-for keying said jaw means and jaw actuating means against relative rotation when said two last mentioned means are engaged with each other.

ROBERT S. BROWN. 

